In a very difficult moment for the global film industry, the 2020 edition of Focus Asia has represented a direct response to the challenges that Asian and European professionals from the sector have been facing in recent months. The industry section of the Far East Film Festival – a completely virtual version from 30 June to 2 July - has been a unique event that has laid the foundations for tomorrow's films while at the same time promoting the circulation of international titles in cinemas and festivals on both continents.
The Focus Asia 2020 program included:
ALL GENRES PROJECT MARKET
Focus Asia project market selects every year projects in development with a strong co-production and co-financing potential with Europe or Asia. All selected teams have the opportunity to meet more than 200 professionals from all over the world.
The nine selected projects:
All the Songs We Never Sang, directed by Chris Rudz and produced by Amy Aoyama (Japan, Poland);
Black Dust, directed by Kit Hui and produced by Christopher Granier-Deferre (UK, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China);
Escape to Oz, directed by Sam Voutas and produced by Melanie Ansley and Jane Zheng (Australia, China);
Girl in the Playground, directed by Yang Wang and produced by Lucy Lu and Belle Lau (China);
Mandai River, directed by Michael Sewandono and produced by Raymond van der Kaaij (Netherlands, Indonesia);
Possession Road, directed by Jack Lai and produced by Yuin Shan Ding and Joey O'Bryan (Hong Kong);
Skeleton River, directed by Khavn De La Cruz and produced by Stephan Holl and Achinette Villamor (Germany, Philippines);
Solids by the Seashore, directed by Patiparn Boontarig and produced by Mai Meksawan and Chatchai Chaiyon (Thailand);
The River Knows Our Names, directed by Chi Mai and produced by Chi Mai and Phong Bui (Vietnam) - selected in cooperation with HAF - Hong Kong.
FAR EAST IN PROGRESS
Far East in Progress is the only exclusive work in progress section for Asian films in Europe. The platform represents a natural follow up for films previously presented in other major Asian project markets or developed at workshops such as Ties That Bind.
The seven selected projects:
Fan Girl, directed by Antoinette Jadaone and produced by Bianca Balbuena and Dan Villegas (Philippines)
Green Grass, directed by Ignacio Ruiz and produced by Masumi Soga and Yeniffer Fasciani (Japan, Chile)
Karmalink, directed by Jake Wachtel and produced by Valerie Steinberg and Visal Sok (Cambodia, United States)
Money Has Four Legs, directed by Maung Sun and produced by Ma Aeint (Myanmar)
We Are Living Things, directed by Antonio Tibaldi and produced by Fan He, Andrew K. Li, Antonio Tibaldi, Stefano Mutolo and Haider Rashid (China, United States, Italy)
WU HAI, directed by Ziyang Zhou and produced by WANG Luna, QIAN Yini and Li Zhu (China)
Shelter (short film), directed by Chung Yee Kwok and produced by Man Hin Ho (Hong Kong)
Thanks to the partnership with 108 MEDIA, the project "We Are Living Things" won the 108 MEDIA Award (distribution award of the value of USD 20,000).
GET READY FOR THE FUTURE
A unique showcase of upcoming films: a fine selection of internationals sales companies introduce a preview of trailers and excerpts of their upcoming line-ups to all attending buyers.
ONE-TO-ONE MEETINGS
Focus Asia attendees had the opportunity to request one-to-one meetings with the ALL GENRES PROJECT MARKET and FAR EAST IN PROGRESS selected teams, as well as all the other accredited key players, in a completely virtual setting. All registered participants had the chance to access our digital platform, browse selected projects information, check registered participants’ profiles, set their availability, ask for meetings, accept or refuse meeting requests.
WEBINARS & INDUSTRY CIRCLES
All Focus Asia attendees had the opportunity to participate in several webinars organized in partnership with Ties That Bind and aimed at investigating the current situation of the film industries in both continents, with the emphasis on future challenges and opportunities. The programme also featured a series of industry circles, where few TTB alumni shared information on the latest news regarding co-producing, financing and distribution opportunities in their respective country.
The Full Focus Asia 2020 Programme
Focus Asia is organized by Centro Espressioni Cinematografiche with the collaboration of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Audiovisual Fund and with the support of MIBACT. It is developed in collaboration with the workshop Ties That Bind and is promoted in association with Eave, European Film Promotion, HAF - Hong Kong, and Taipei Golden Horse Film Project Promotion.
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